Search Result for "pauperism": 
Wordnet 3.0

NOUN (1)

1. a state of extreme poverty or destitution;
- Example: "their indigence appalled him"
- Example: "a general state of need exists among the homeless"
[syn: indigence, need, penury, pauperism, pauperization]



The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Pauperism \Pau"per*ism\, n. [Cf. F. paup['e]risme.]
   The state of being a pauper; the state of indigent persons
   requiring support from the community. --Whatly.
   [1913 Webster]

   Syn: Poverty; indigence; penury; want; need; destitution. See
        Poverty.
        [1913 Webster]


WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):

pauperism
    n 1: a state of extreme poverty or destitution; "their indigence
         appalled him"; "a general state of need exists among the
         homeless" [syn: indigence, need, penury, pauperism,
         pauperization]